Downtown Cardio Beats Smog

Jogging in a polluted urban environment can't be as healthy fresh air rural running, but it might not as bad as you'd think either. While exposure to diesel exhaust is pretty common for city-dwellers, and typically results in some degree of lung inflammation, a study published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise found that everyday running might help protect your lungs against the harmful effects of air pollution. It works that way with mice.

True Strength Moment: Researchers exposed mice to diesel exhaust particles as they exercised 5 days a week. After 5 weeks of this training, an analysis of the lab mice found that frequent aerobic exercise inhibited lung inflammation. Whether these protective effects transfer to humans isn't clear, but few would argue that the positive results of exercise go well beyond weight management and strength development.